When you move from a southern California subdivision with a postage stamp yard (that we loved) and purchase a little breathing room in the country, you can't help but dream of a barn. My husband and I have shared the love of barns for ten years now; always talking, dreaming, wishing, and sighing each time we pass by those beautiful wooden structures that epitimize an era of hard work and simplicity. If you've ever visited our home, a pictoral barn book rests listfully on our coffee table and has taken this place of honor for years as we continue our love of these grand buildings. Well, just so happens, that when it comes to dreams,
barn dreams . . . my husband and I can come up with some doozies!
If you've had the opportunity to read our lavender story you know our first plants went into the ground in 2009. Since that time we've desired to open a little shop on the farm. A place where people can come out and visit our lavender farm, walk the rows, take in the beauty of sight and fragrance and simply enjoy the goodness of God our Creator. Well, a little shop becomes a little shop/storage facility for our equipment, which in turn becomes something even more grand . . . a venue!
With the prompting of our oldest, we set out to visit a barn venue in Fayette, Missouri - Blue Bell Farms. Oh. My. Goodness! I just cannot tell you how exciting it was for me to visit a beautiful farm and meet such a hospitable host. I contacted Derek, our host and one of the owners of Blue Bell Farm, on a Friday. The very next afternoon we were standing in the middle of this beautiful, traditional Scandinavian style barn asking every question we could think of while soaking in every answer shared. Derek was so exceptionally kind to give our family a full tour; right down to the bathrooms and absolutely gorgeous bride's room! Oh the bride's room; the details, the care, the thought that went into designing this special room, swoon!! This room alone will make you feel like a princess with its light filled windows and every detail maticulously pondered. Lovely, just lovely!
Needless to say, we've been inspired . . . inspired to at least think a little outside the "barn" on this one. What if people not only came to our farm for the enjoyment of the lavender, but also to use our farm as a possible venue for weddings, receptions, ministry outings, anniversaries, conferences, retreats? What if . . . and the dreaming begins anew! New questions, new fears, new direction in our prayers. It's all very exciting and truly the possibilities are endless. I hope you are as excited as we are and might have a curious question or two . . . like timeline? Lord willing, the sight work would be done this late fall with construction of the building in the spring. We are excited, nervous, a little intimidated but always confident in the Lord.
"A man's heart devises his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:1
Have fun checking out this lovely farm at bluebellfarm.org.
